The choice of Sixth Form subjects should reflect Higher Education intentions, and, as far as possible, career aspirations. The Morrisby Guidance Report may indicate the broad direction in which a pupil should aim. It will be available to the new Lower Sixth Formers by the end of their first term and to present Fifth Formers by the end of the Spring term.
During the Sixth Form years there will be chances to explore careers and higher education through such events as: the Higher Education Fair (held in March of the Lower Sixth year alternately at Strathallan and Kilgraston Schools); talks given by professionals, university representatives and current students and attendance at Open Days at universities and colleges. All Lower Sixth Formers are invited to purchase, at a modest cost, ‘Course Finder’, which lists higher education courses which might suit their needs. The extensive Careers Library holds the prospectuses of all UK universities and many specialist colleges. The UCAS web site can be accessed at www.ucas.ac.uk on the Internet and there is also a CD-Rom library. The Careers Adviser, Mr. N.T.H.Du Boulay, is available to see pupils at almost any time and to see parents by appointment (Tel: 01738 815018).
The prospects for graduate employment have improved markedly in the past few years and this trend is likely to continue. Wherever possible those leaving school are recommended to read for degrees. However, there are cases, especially when the pupil has a strong practical preference, when a Higher National Diploma (HND), with its more vocational emphasis, would be more appropriate. If a student is successful on an HND course it is often possible to transfer to a degree. A number of newer universities run both degree and HND courses.
Current copies of ‘The Big Official UCAS Guidebook’ are in the Careers Library and in each House. Although at present potential university students can apply for up to five courses on their UCAS form (normally completed in September and October of the Upper Sixth year), only two offers, one ‘firm’ the other an ‘insurance’, can be held. There is therefore a need for careful research and judicious choice of university and course.
All LVIth Highers candidates do a two-day Business Dynamics course. They are given talks by members of the business community, do projects on the lines of firms' training courses, take turns in leading their group and give presentations.
